Psychoactive Substances – Good progress

Psychoactive Substances – Good progress in developing
and implementing Local Authority Product Plans

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the
ongoing work of local authorities in developing local
authority product plans (LAPPs).

There are currently
22 LAPPs in various stages of development, with Napier’s
policy coming into effect late last year. This has resulted
in the declining of a retail licence under consideration by
the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority (the
Authority) in the Napier area.

“I applaud Napier
for being the first local authority to implement an LAPP.
That Napier’s Plan has resulted in the declining of an
interim licence application shows that these policies do
have teeth, which is exactly the reason the government
included the mechanism in the Psychoactive Substances
Act”, says Mr McClay.

“The Authority will be
writing to all local government chief executives today,
reinforcing the role that councils can play through
development of LAPPs and offering assistance with the
process.

All licences, including interim licenses, are
required to adhere to LAPPs”.

“If communities
have concerns about the operating of legal high retailers in
their community, they should approach their local Council.
Parliament was determined that Councils have real authority
to regulate where these products are sold in their regions
and the Psychoactive Substances Act gives them precisely
that power”, says Mr McClay.

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